Petroleum environmental research forum field study on biofilters for control of volatile hydrocarbons
- Gero Leson Environmental Consulting, Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Chevron Research and Technology Co., Richmond, CA (United States)
A field study on the treatment of volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) by biofiltration was conducted by the Petroleum Environmental Research Forum (PERF) between 1992 and 1994. Its objective was to assess the technical, regulatory, and economic feasibility of biofiltration for off-gases from petroleum processing and soil remediation equipment. It involved three small-scale biofilters provided by US vendors, treating off-gas from two soil vapor extraction sites and a source of refinery wastewater. Comprehensive monitoring of biofilter operating parameters and performance was conducted. Typically more than 95% of aromatic compounds such as benzene, and odorous reduced sulfur compounds can be removed at residence times of one minute or less, while removal of more than 70% of light aliphatics will require residence times of several minutes, and will thus require correspondingly large filter volumes and higher capital expenditure. The high percentage removal of aromatic hazardous air pollutants (HAP) and odors can generally be accomplished at comparatively short residence times while the need for high-percentage removal, particular of light aliphatics (< C{sub 5}) will generally render biofiltration noncompetitive. Finally, a preliminary economic comparison of biofilters and established control technologies suggested that biofiltration may, for a representative design case involving off-gas from a refinery wastewater treatment operation, offer considerable savings in total cost of air pollution control for petroleum hydrocarbon streams if regulations require the control of aromatic HAP or odors.
- OSTI ID:
- 509255
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 123; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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